For many years, designing bicycles has mostly been about function. However, in times when the bicycle is increasingly used for daily trips and also increasingly replacing the car as a status symbol, this has changed. How high the demands on bicycle design have become, is shown in a look behind the scenes at the Dutch company VROEGH Design, an agency that is responsible for the design and engineering of several very successful bicycle brands. A look that reveals astonishing parallels to the automotive industry.

AMSTERDAM, the Netherlands - Born from a circular mission, Dutch bicycle company Roetz has turned its attention to designing a less polluting electric bicycle. Following three years of development, the result is an e-bike that is designed to last a lifetime through the use of a modular and reconfigurable design, high-quality materials and a data-driven service concept.

AMERSFOORT, the Netherlands - The largest bicycle dealer cooperative in the Netherlands, Dynamo Retail Group has reported strong sales figures this year. While bicycle sales dropped by double digits last year, Dynamo Retail Group saw a hike of 12.1% between January and July this year.

LADOUX, France - Michelin has launched its new Michelin Power Cup range of premium road bicycle tyres. The range, which is available in Tubular, Tubetype and Tubeless Ready versions, features new tread compounds for speed, rolling efficiency and cornering grip.

BERGAMO, Italy - Vittoria reports the construction of the world's first all-discipline cycling experience, innovation center and knowledge hub for bicycle tyre development. Called Vittoria Park, the testing facility and proving ground will open in September.

HARDERWIJK, the Netherlands - The formerly Scottish company announced the opening of its first e-service branch for the maintenance of electric vehicles in Amsterdam, the Netherlands. Here, but also in other locations, e-bikes will now also be repaired according to the quick service model.

RIEL, the Netherlands - Torque sensor developer, IDbike has ambitious plans to produce significantly more volume and become an OEM supplier of complete drive systems for e-bikes. To facilitate this the company is now looking for external investors to the value of €2 million.

NUNSPEET, the Netherlands - Shimano Europe has announced that it intends to completely outsource its warehouse activities which are now based in Nunspeet, the Netherlands. In a statement the company says, 'the distribution centre in Nunspeet has outgrown its capacity'. A new service provider is yet to be determined, but the move could lead to a loss of up to 45 jobs.

LUDHIANA, India - The Indian bicycle industry is seeing a heavy shift to local sourcing of parts and components as a result of the pandemic-induced supply chain problems. Investment in alloy frame production is also top of Sadem Industries' agenda as it plans to boost its production capacity to meet the surging demand

UTRECHT, the Netherlands - A major setback for the leading bicycle consumer show in the Netherlands, the Bike Motion. The 2021 edition which would take place on 29-30 October this year has been rescheduled to October 2022.

Offering an asymmetrical design with no compromise in tubeless performance, Stan's new MK4 rims are the result of twenty years of obsessive dedication to building better rims.

Bicycle accessory manufacturer, SKS Germany, has launched a new integrated luggage carrier system named Infinity. The luggage carrier incorporates innovative technologies including a cooperation with the Dutch light manufacturer, Spanninga, for the rear lighting.

HEERENVEEN, the Netherlands - Accell Group Chief Supply Chain Officer (CSCO) and member of the Board of Management Jeroen Both has stepped down and will leave the company at the end of December of this year.

JOURE, The Netherlands - Bicycle lights and accessories supplier Spanninga has appointed Paul de Haan as its new group director. He will work side-by-side with Feike Spanninga, owner and also group director to reinforce the management of the historical brand.

SAALFELD, Germany - The Norwegian Buddy Electric is among the first to start distributing e-bikes with carbon-composite injection molded frames. The protected design of the 'made in Germany' frame comes from Eker Design and Buddy Electric.

HEERENVEEN, the Netherlands - According to projections of the Dutch dealer association Bovag the total market volume increased this year by almost a third. "This could have been 10% to 20% more if we had been able to get the parts on time," stated Accell Group CEO Ton Anbeek.

ZWOLLE, the Netherlands - AGU, the Dutch company known for its cycling accessories, is selling the carbon wheel business unit, Fast Forward Wheels. The new owner is Henk Schipper, who founded the company in 2006.

GORINCHEM, the Netherlands - Bicycle trade fair Vélovak, which was due to start next Sunday in Gorinchem, the Netherlands, has been postponed to September 19, 20 and 21, 2021. Reasoning is the regional introduction of 'code red' travel advice for Belgians and Germans, the tightened Corona measures across the country and the changed sentiment among exhibitors.

MILPITAS, USA - Californian Arevo presented a world's first custom monocoque carbon 3D printed bicycle frame at Eurobike 2019. Initially Avero partnered with small local bicycle supplier. Avero has now introduced its owns bicycle and e-bike brand called Superstrata.

ROTTERDAM, the Netherlands - The World Cycling Forum that took place Tuesday and yesterday in Rotterdam, the Netherlands unmasked myths like the one that predicts the end of the bicycle sector due to the rise of bike and/or e-step-scooter sharing systems in all major cities.